Today on the blog we feature, Shilpy Gupta a potter and Founder of Ceramic Trail, Bangalore. Shilpy talks about her new line up, inspirations and more… lets’s find out!
About yourself.
Shilpy Gupta, a potter and artist, blends the magic of poetry into pottery when she creates masterpieces on clay for her brainchild — Ceramic Trail. Inspired by the world of poetry, the artist has taken pottery to an all new exciting level. Her impressions of ‘poetry in pottery’ are not only artistic but meaningful.
Always fascinated by the art of Pottery, Shilpy managed to learn the trade at a studio in the United States of America but shifted base to India to explore and expand her passion into a profession.
With 15 years of experience behind the pottery wheel, Shilpy creates magic in clay and the poetry of Rumi or teachings of Buddha add life to the same. The colours are representative of the deep thought hidden in mere words.
How did you begin Ceramic Trail and how has it evolved over the years?
“Everybody is made for a particular work and the desire for that work has been put in every heart”-Rumi.
My first influence was the traditional Indian potter. I saw them in my hometown and was fascinated by how they were able to turn a ball of clay into a beautiful urn. The magic of that moment stayed with me and eventually drove me to practise the art myself. The thrill of an artist to create a different canvas to depict her art was what encouraged me to create Poetry in Pottery and I have so far done series inspired by Rumi’s poems, my travels to Kutch, Buddha’s teachings and the nature.
What is your personal favorite pick from your Ceramic Trail right now? And why?
My personal favourite is the set of dervish dancers based on poet Rumi’s poem: “Both light and shadow are the dance of love”. I like this set because it conveys the emotions behind this couplet very well. Also the set has two platters depicting day and night, which is my iteration on the poem of a great thinker.
What are you displaying at the By Hand, From The Heart?
I’ll be bringing some tableware and wall décor from 4 collections. Two collections which are based on the teachings of Rumi and Buddha, I have displayed before. The two new collections which I will be unveiling at the By Hand, From The Heart are:
‘Woods’ : This collection is based on the poem by Robert Frost
‘The woods are lovely dark and deep,
But I’ve promises to keep,
Miles to go before I sleep,
Miles to go before I sleep…’
2) ‘Let’s Talk’ : This is a collection in hope of a more connected human world, inspired by the world of birds. Like our feathered friends, let’s sit across each other and talk rather than peep out of windows in the walls that we have created around ourselves.
Any design story you would like to share.
The poem by Robert Frost, “Stopping by woods on a snowy evening” has always been my favourite. This poem has inspired me to work harder to achieve the promises that I have made to myself. And that is why I have designed a collection around it, hoping that it’ll resonate with a few others.
Handmade in India / Make in India – what does this mean to you?
I think ‘Handmade in India’ gives a great impetus to the rich handicrafts of our country. I hope that now people will also value it more and recognize the hard work involved in the handmade arts.
By Hand From The Heart: MAKERS MARKET – 21st Edition
Date: Friday – Saturday, 8th – 9th September, 2017
Time: 10:00 a.m – 8:00 p.m
Venue: Crowne Plaza Chennai Adyar Park
Address: 132, T.T.K Road, Alwarpet, Chennai – 600018, Tamil Nadu. India
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